Hello, Readers!

Every year there is that one special week at the beginning of Kindergarten when I get to do perhaps the most wonderful thing that a teacher can do.  I get to place a book in every child's hands and tell them, "You are a reader!"

Guided Reading is the heart of literacy instruction in my classroom and last was that special week where everyone got their turn to either begin or continue their journey as a reader!  #Ilovemyjob #KindergartenReads

As we continue to work and grow as readers at school, we will be learning lots of new reading strategies and behaviors to help us be successful with the books we read.  Here are a few of our beginning strategies that you can encourage and support when you are reading at home.

• Use your Eagle Eyes

Good readers are always using their eagle eyes to check out the pictures.  Understanding what we see in the illustrations will help us make sense of what we read and offer context and support as we begin to navigate new words and ideas. 

 

• Touch the Words

This is a simple, but invaluable, behavior for beginning readers (and even those that have been reading for a while).  First, tracking print reinforces concepts of print that are essential not only for successful reading, but successful writing as well.  Tracking when reading will help beginning readers segment words in sentences, write with a left to right progression, and understand the importance of spaces when writing sentences.  Tracking will also help draw the readers eye to the words they read.  Increased focus and attention to the words your child is reading will help them begin to commit new words to memory and increase reading fluency.

If you are looking for more ways to get your child reading at home, here are a few easy suggestions.

• Read the World Around You

You can read more than books.  Check out words on signs, cereal boxes, and billboards.  Use your Eagle Eyes to check out pictures and contexts to help you read words in the world around you.  Talk to your child about the letters they see in these words and the sounds they make.

 

• Read a Song/Read a Rhyme

Books that tell the stories found in familiar songs and rhymes give children everything they need to feel successful as a reader.  These books are familiar, follow specific patterns, and often have repetitive texts.  You can often find fun variations to familiar songs and nursery rhymes that keep the old and familiar new and exciting.  

 

Check back soon for more reading and writing updates, and be on the look out for more information about our Farm Unit!

Happy Reading!